Sweep-seconds-hand train for clocks



. (Nouwen.

W. C. SELLERS.

5 SWBBP SBGONDS HAND TRAIN POR CLOCKS. No. 585,153. Patented June22,1897.

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PATENT @Erice SELLERS, OF MEDICINE LODGE, KANSAS.

SVVEEP-SECONS-llAND TFM-IBN FR CLOCKS.

SPECEFICATEGN forming part of Letters Patent No. 585,153, dated June 22,189'?.

Application filed April 29, 1896. Serial No. 589,586. (No model.)

To all whom t 17m/y concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. SELLERs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Medicine Lodge, in the county of Barber and State of Kansas,have in vented certain n ew and useful Improvements in Seconcls-I'IandMovements for Clocks; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

My invention has special reference to what is known usually as asweep-seconds-hand movement for clocks, and it is designed to furnishsuch a movement which can be applied to clocks of various kinds, so asto be operated directly by the running-train, and at the same time theconstruction and arrangement of the parts are such that a eloekembodying my invention can be set independent of the seconds-hand andthe latter also set independent of the clock-movement.

To this end my invention consists, mainly, in providing a clock with ahollow central arbor mounted at both ends in bearings in the frame oreasing, which arbor is revolved by the usual train mechanism, and withinsaid hollow arbor revolves an independent shaft or spindle carrying onits outer end the seconds-hand. On the inner end of the hollow shaft ismounted a gear-wheel held in proper position by friction-plates, andsaid wheel is arranged to mesh with intermediate gearing conneetin gwith the inner end of the secondshand shaft or spindle and so timed thatas the hollow central arbor is revolved the seeonds-hand shaft is alsorotated, causing the seconds-hand to traverse the face of the clock atthe correct speed. By the arrangement of the gear-wheel andfriction-plates on the inner end of the hollow arbor the main movementof the clock can be set independently of the seconds-hand, a feature notpossible in prior seconds-hand movements.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l represents in front view the face ofa clock to which my invention has been applied. Fig. 2 is a rear viewthereof, and Fig. 3 a vertical central section showing the operatingmeehanism.

It is to be understood that, as hereinbefore indicated, my invention isspecially applicable to clocks and that it can be readily applied in allcases without change of the usual time-train mechanism. In the drawingsI have illustrated a clock having a time-train mechanism of commen form.

A represents the casing or frame of the clock.

B is the center shaft or arbor, which has bearings at each end in thecasing or frame of the clock, and this shaft, it is to be understood, isin operation driven by the train mechanism of the clock, whichcommunicates motion to the gear-wheel C on the central shaft.

In carrying out my invention the center arbor or shaft is made hollow orprovided with a longitudinal central bore, as at @which extends theentire length of said shaft. The shaft B at both ends, where each passesthrough the casing of the clock, is reduced in diameter, formingshoulders b l), resting against the casing to prevent the longitudinalmovement of the shaft. At the outer or front end of the shaft is mountedthe usual minute-hand, which bears against an additional shoulder c nearthe end of shaft and is held in position by a hollow cup-shaped nut d,which engages with a thread on the outer end of the shaft, and said nutis provided with an opening c through its cap. At its inner end saidshaft is also reduced in diameter, forming a shoulder f, and on theshaft is mounted a gear-wheel D. Adjacent to said wheel and upon theshaft are placed frictionplates E E, one on each side of the wheel, of asize properly proportioned to the diameter of the wheel, against whichthe same are caused to bear by the adjustment of a nut F, which connectswith a screw-thread formed on the inner end of the centra-l shaft.

\Vithin the central shaft or arbor B is mounted a spindle G, which has abearing at the outer end thereof in the opening of the nut CZ, throughwhich the spindle passes, and carries on its outer end the sweepsecondshand H. rlhe inner end of said spindle has a suitable bearing ina bracket I on the outer side of the clock-casing, and a pinion .I ismounted on the spindle. This pinion is arranged to gear with anintermediate wheel K, carrying a pinion L on a counter-shaft M, mountedin the bracket I and casing A, and

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the pinion L is in turn driven by Ithe frictionwheel D on the centralshaft B.

It is to be understood that the hour-hand is suitably mounted upon theouter end of the central shaft and operated in the usual manner by thetime-train mechanism.

The gearing as employed by me is so timed that upon the rotation of thewheel C the hollow central shaft B, carrying the minute-hand, is causedto revolve at the proper speed for the movement of that hand. As saidshaft revolves it also carries with it the wheel D, which in turnrotates the pinion L and gearwheel K, meshing with the pinion J on theinner end of the spindle G, which, as it revolves, carries with it theseconds-hand II, the gearing referred to being so timed as to cause saidhand to revolve around the face of the clock at the proper speed.

By the employment of the gear-wheel D upon the inner end of the hollowarbor and the contact therewith of the friction-plates E E, I am enabledin setting the clock to operate the seconds-hand movement independent ofthe hour and minute hands, and this feature constitutes an importantelement of my invention. In setting the clock it is simply necessary totake hold of the seconds-hand with thumb and finger and hold the samewhile the minute-hand is turned around the dial, it bei-ng understoodthat in all cases when setting the clock the hands are turned to theright. In setting the clock in the manner as described the wheel D, whenthe minute-hand is moved, remains stationary and the inner end of thecentral arbor B turns freely therein. As there is more friction on thehour and minute hands than on the seconds-hand the latter can be movedwithout holding the former.

I am aware that it has before been proposed to provide a watch with anattachment which embodied a hollow shaftI with an interior spindlerevolving therein and carrying a secondshand7 and said shaft and spindlewere operatively connected with the time-train of the watch by fixedmechanism, which in no manner permitted the setting of the seconds-handindependent of the hour and minute hands.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patentl. In a sweep-seconds-hand movement for clocks, thecombination with a central hollow shaft having independent bearings inthe clock-frame, a seconds-hand shaft, a thumbnut to secure theminute-hand in place, said nut acting as a bearing for the sweep-handshaft which has its opposite end journaled in the frame, time-trainmechanism connecting said shafts and comprising a gear on the inner endof said hollow shaft, held in position thereon by means offriction-disks, whereby the minute-hand can be moved or operatedindependently of the seconds or sweep hand, all substantially as and forthe purposes set forth.

2. In a clock mechanism, the combination of a frame, a hollow arbor journaled therein and provided with a hand, a shaft passingconcentrically through said arbor with a bearing at its inner end, a capor nut on the outer end of the arbor, centering the shaft therein andforming the bearing for the outer end thereof, a seconds-hand on saidshaft, aud a time-train mechanism connecting the shaft and arbor, andcomprising a friction-held gear, all substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence ot' two witnesses.

VILLIAM C. SELLERS,

lVitncsscs:

E. II. Nixon, Guo. W. Hor-muv.

